- Honolulu Community College`s mission is to serve the community as an affordable, flexible, learning-centered, open-door comprehensive community college that meets the post-secondary educational needs of individuals, businesses, and the community and serve the Pacific Region as the primary technical training center in areas such as transportation, information technology, education, communications, construction, and public and personal services.
School Highlights
Honolulu Community College serves 4,551 students (21% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Asian), which is more than the state average of 89%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 4,551 students
- In-state tuition: $2,766
- Out-state tuition: $7,614
- Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
- Minority enrollment: 91%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Honolulu Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Hawaii for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 335 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Honolulu Community College
(HI) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1920
Total Faculty
335 staff
269 staff
Number of Programs Offered
28
28
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Honolulu Community College has grown by 29% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The Honolulu Community College diversity score of 0.75 is less than the state average of 0.76. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,551 students
3,377 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
18:1
# Full-Time Students
941 students
695 students
# Part-Time Students
3,610 students
2,682 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
455 students
379 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
941 students
695 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,610 students
2,292 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
40 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
36%
32%
% Hispanic
13%
14%
% Black
2%
1%
% White
9%
11%
% Hawaiian
7%
6%
% Two or more races
30%
31%
% Non Resident races
1%
3%
% Unknown races
2%
2%
Diversity Score
0.75
0.76
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2344%
0.2819%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.2676%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,800
$34,800
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,766 is less than the state average of $2,815. The in-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,614 is less than the state average of $7,663. The out-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,766
$2,815
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,614
$7,663
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
76%
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,000
$9,969
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,599
$5,599
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Honolulu Community College is an integral part of the University of Hawaii, which is a world-renowned, nationally-ranked, and state-funded American institution. Students have direct transfer to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the Unversity of Hawaii-West Oahu to complete their four-year baccalaureate degree. The institution also has transfer agreements with other universities in Hawaii and serves is a gateway to over 2,000 universities and colleges across the USA. Students planning to transfer to these institutions will receive special assistance in preparing application documents. Honolulu Community College currently offers the Associate in Science, the Associate in Applied Science, and the Associate in Technical Studies degrees as well as shorter certificate programs in more than twenty technical-occupational areas, integrated with a strong general education "core'' to provide an educated citizenry for the workforce of the State of Hawaii. Honolulu Community College offers one of the best educational values in the United States. Students enjoy high-quality education at very affordable tuition rates and receive instruction in small classes taught by well-credentialed faculty who are dedicated to excellence in teaching. The Main Campus of Honolulu Community College, a short distance from the heart of downtown Honolulu, occupies over twenty acres on Dillingham Boulevard in the Kalihi-Palama area. The College also has facilities near Honolulu International Airport for the Aeronautics Maintenance and Commercial Aviation programs, automotive and heavy equipment shops on Kokea Street, and the Marine Education and Training Center at Sand Island. Honolulu Community College is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Honolulu Community College has been continuously and fully accredited since 1970 by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Honolulu Community College cost?
Honolulu Community College's tuition is approximately $2,766 for In-State students and $7,614 for Out-State students.
What schools are Honolulu Community College often compared to?
Honolulu Community Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Kapiolani Community College by visitors of our site.
What is Honolulu Community College's ranking?
Honolulu Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Hawaii for: Least expensive tuition.
In what neighborhood is Honolulu Community College located?
Honolulu Community College is located in the Kalihi Palama neighborhood of Honolulu, HI.
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